All prayer is vital for Catholics because it connects us to God and others. There are many ways to pray - sometimes we go to a special place to pray or ask someone to pray for us. Prayer in front of a relic contains aspects of both.
First, we go off to a special quiet place to pray to be close to pray to someone who is recognized as Holy. There is also a closer spiritual connection when we are physically near someone. A relic, Latin for "remains," is a physical remnant of a canonized saint, either part of their body or a personal effect.
Second, we ask this person in heaven, recognized as a Canonized Saint, to pray for a particular intention, precisely an intention close to their heart - their patronage. Saint Josaphat is the patron Saint of Ukraine, and the Church recognizes this person as someone to pray to for this specific intention.
We are all asked to pray on behalf of the people of Ukraine, no matter what form that takes. As a family in your homes, gathered at church on the weekends, privately in your room, before the relic or before Jesus in the Eucharist.
Saint Valentine was founded in 1899 as a parish to serve the religious needs of the Polish community in Bloomfield and the surrounding area. While the church community is now very diverse and inclusive, its building has many Polish Saints depicted in its artwork. All are welcome to come to Saint Valentine to also pray for the people of Poland who have been so generous and heroic in their support of Ukraine.
First, we go off to a special quiet place to pray to be close to pray to someone who is recognized as Holy. There is also a closer spiritual connection when we are physically near someone. A relic, Latin for "remains," is a physical remnant of a canonized saint, either part of their body or a personal effect.
Second, we ask this person in heaven, recognized as a Canonized Saint, to pray for a particular intention, precisely an intention close to their heart - their patronage. Saint Josaphat is the patron Saint of Ukraine, and the Church recognizes this person as someone to pray to for this specific intention.
We are all asked to pray on behalf of the people of Ukraine, no matter what form that takes. As a family in your homes, gathered at church on the weekends, privately in your room, before the relic or before Jesus in the Eucharist.
Saint Valentine was founded in 1899 as a parish to serve the religious needs of the Polish community in Bloomfield and the surrounding area. While the church community is now very diverse and inclusive, its building has many Polish Saints depicted in its artwork. All are welcome to come to Saint Valentine to also pray for the people of Poland who have been so generous and heroic in their support of Ukraine.
Saint Josaphat is the patron Saint of Ukraine. Relics are physical objects directly associated with our Lord or a canonized saint. Saint Valentine Church is a steward of the relic of Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych, O.S.B.M. He was a Polish–Lithuanian monk and archeparch of the Ruthenian Catholic Church. He was born in Ukraine and is the patron Saint of Ukraine.
The Archdiocese of Newark published a press release about our parish and the relic. See
Jersey Catholic:
https://jerseycatholic.org/parish-welcomes-all-to-pray-for-peace-before-relic-of-ukraines-patron-saint/
Bloomfield Patch:
https://patch.com/new-jersey/bloomfield/relic-ukraine-s-patron-saint-display-bloomfield-church
Those wishing to pray for peace can visit the relic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and between 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The entrance to the rectory chapel is located on North Spring Street.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/165-101+N+Spring+St,+Bloomfield,+NJ+07003/@40.8094513,-74.1867201,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c2556e8c479865:0x8286e6d7f861c929!8m2!3d40.8094504!4d-74.1861768
The Archdiocese of Newark published a press release about our parish and the relic. See
Jersey Catholic:
https://jerseycatholic.org/parish-welcomes-all-to-pray-for-peace-before-relic-of-ukraines-patron-saint/
Bloomfield Patch:
https://patch.com/new-jersey/bloomfield/relic-ukraine-s-patron-saint-display-bloomfield-church
Those wishing to pray for peace can visit the relic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and between 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The entrance to the rectory chapel is located on North Spring Street.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/165-101+N+Spring+St,+Bloomfield,+NJ+07003/@40.8094513,-74.1867201,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c2556e8c479865:0x8286e6d7f861c929!8m2!3d40.8094504!4d-74.1861768
Fish Fry Pictures on our social media accounts and on our website's blog - http://www.stvalentinechurch.com/news-and-notes
As resources become available, members of our Adult and Treble choirs will receive the sheet music.
Our rehearsal pages may include menus for masses scheduled, programs, links to sound clips or recordings, links to YouTube videos ( midi files or voiced parts or full pieces). We will do our best to provide resources for any home rehearsal you need.
Click on the needed page link.
Adult Choir
Treble Choir
Throughout the active Choir Season, Choir members are requested to check your rehearsal page(s) often for any changes. For urgent or critical announcements, you will be notified ASAP via email (or Phone chain).
All parishioners and friends are welcome to visit these pages if you have an interest in how we prepare for Mass.
Any questions may be directed to any choir member.
Our rehearsal pages may include menus for masses scheduled, programs, links to sound clips or recordings, links to YouTube videos ( midi files or voiced parts or full pieces). We will do our best to provide resources for any home rehearsal you need.
Click on the needed page link.
Adult Choir
Treble Choir
Throughout the active Choir Season, Choir members are requested to check your rehearsal page(s) often for any changes. For urgent or critical announcements, you will be notified ASAP via email (or Phone chain).
All parishioners and friends are welcome to visit these pages if you have an interest in how we prepare for Mass.
Any questions may be directed to any choir member.
The Choirs need voices!
AND we could use your help.
Winter and Spring 2020
Experience singing in a group.
Don't leave it to someone else!
If you have singing experience of any kind it's a plus.
BUT we CAN teach you the rudiments of chorale singing.
Many of us are amateurs.
We rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM (or as announced)
and will sing the 10 AM Sunday morning Mass once we are ready.
Help us to build an even fuller sound !
It takes ALL kinds of voices.
And the more voices participating,
the greater the range of musical possibilities.
Don't miss the fun. JOIN us!
The Music Ministry of St. Valentine
All are invited to participate in a Listening Session to pray, listen, and discern where the Holy Spirit is leading the Church. The ten local churches in the deanery will be holding a cross parish listening Session on January 20th at 7:00PM in Madonna Hall (below the church) at Immaculate Conception Church in Montclair. All are welcome. Please email StValsPastoralCouncil@gmail.com or call the parish office if you plan to attend so we can provide an estimate to the facilitators. Thank you.
| rcan_opening_synod_letter_from__jwt.pdf |
Cardinal Tobin's pastoral letter introduces 'synod on synodality' to faithful of the Archdiocese
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! This past weekend Pope Francis launched a two-year “synod on synodality,” a call to all the members of the Catholic Church across the world to enter a process of listening to the Holy Spirit and to each other in order to discern the path we must walk together. Yesterday, Pope Francis celebrated the Eucharist in St. Peter’s Square as the first solemn act of the Synod. Next Sunday, October 17 in dioceses across the world, bishops will celebrate the opening of the synodal process in their respective dioceses. On that day, I will preside at the Eucharist in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart at 12 Noon and would be delighted if you might join us....
Please see the attached PDF or use the following link
https://www.rcan.org/cardinal-tobins-pastoral-letter-introduces-synod-synodality-faithful-archdiocese
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ! This past weekend Pope Francis launched a two-year “synod on synodality,” a call to all the members of the Catholic Church across the world to enter a process of listening to the Holy Spirit and to each other in order to discern the path we must walk together. Yesterday, Pope Francis celebrated the Eucharist in St. Peter’s Square as the first solemn act of the Synod. Next Sunday, October 17 in dioceses across the world, bishops will celebrate the opening of the synodal process in their respective dioceses. On that day, I will preside at the Eucharist in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart at 12 Noon and would be delighted if you might join us....
Please see the attached PDF or use the following link
https://www.rcan.org/cardinal-tobins-pastoral-letter-introduces-synod-synodality-faithful-archdiocese
On May 21, 2021, Pope Francis surprised the Church by announcing that the Synod of Bishops, postponed due to the pandemic, will be preceded by a synodal process that includes “listening to all of the baptized” in every local diocese before the bishops gather again in 2023.
The Archdiocese of Newark joined dioceses throughout the world in celebrating a special Opening Mass on Oct. 17 to launch “Synod 2021-2023: For a Synodal Church,” a two-year re-examination of the way the Catholic Church is listening to and walking with its parishioners.
For more information, please visit - https://www.rcan.org/synod2023
The Archdiocese of Newark joined dioceses throughout the world in celebrating a special Opening Mass on Oct. 17 to launch “Synod 2021-2023: For a Synodal Church,” a two-year re-examination of the way the Catholic Church is listening to and walking with its parishioners.
For more information, please visit - https://www.rcan.org/synod2023
Celebrating the Feast Day of Saint Valentine
In celebration of the Feast Day of Saint Valentine we will be having light snacks (coffee/tea/water/soda/cookies/breakfast snacks) after all masses the weekend of February 12 and 13. Please stop down to Valentine Hall below the church after masses to grab a snack and meet with your fellow parishioners. There will also be a slideshow of images of events and activities from the past year.
In celebration of the Feast Day of Saint Valentine we will be having light snacks (coffee/tea/water/soda/cookies/breakfast snacks) after all masses the weekend of February 12 and 13. Please stop down to Valentine Hall below the church after masses to grab a snack and meet with your fellow parishioners. There will also be a slideshow of images of events and activities from the past year.
| synod_listening_sessionn_parish.pdf |
First Day of Class for our Faith Formation Program - September 19, 2021
Saint Valentine has teamed with the Valerie Fund to donate gifts to those in need this Christmas and Holiday season. The wish list is available via Amazon by using the following link. Thank you for you generosity.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2M6P6QKI1EUFB/ref=cm_wl_huc_view
Use the following shipping address:
The Valerie Fund
C/O Newark Beth Israel
201 Lyons Ave. Newark NJ 07112
Questions - Call Patty at 973-379-6626.
The Valerie Fund
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center & Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
For more information about the Children's Hospital of New Jersey (CHoNJ), please visit
https://www.rwjbh.org/childrens-hospital-of-nj-at-newark-beth-israel/
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2M6P6QKI1EUFB/ref=cm_wl_huc_view
Use the following shipping address:
The Valerie Fund
C/O Newark Beth Israel
201 Lyons Ave. Newark NJ 07112
Questions - Call Patty at 973-379-6626.
The Valerie Fund
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center & Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
For more information about the Children's Hospital of New Jersey (CHoNJ), please visit
https://www.rwjbh.org/childrens-hospital-of-nj-at-newark-beth-israel/
